84R25261 JGH-D
By: Ashby H.R. No. 2489
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Petty Officer Jordan Wagstaff of the U.S. Coast
Guard is an outstanding young Texan who is paying tribute to fallen
heroes while contributing to a worthy cause by participating in the
first annual Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb in New York City on May
17, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers
Foundation and the Captain Billy Burke Foundation, this unique
athletic event honors the memory of two New York City firefighters
who lost their lives in the collapse of the Twin Towers on September
11, 2001; on that fateful day, Stephen Siller of Squad 1 in Park
Slope, Brooklyn, was off-duty when he responded without hesitation
to help those in need at the World Trade Center, running with over
60 pounds of gear through a blocked-off tunnel to the site of the
disaster; Captain William Burke led and encouraged his fellow
firefighters on their climb, calling out his support to them even as
he remained behind to rescue two workers when the second building
collapsed; and
WHEREAS, During the Tunnel to Tower competition, 1,000
participants will reenact that heroic effort as they climb 90
floors, or 180 flights of stairs, in One World Trade Center, the new
skyscraper built on the site of the original World Trade Center; the
climb's participants will also raise money for such worthy causes
as building 200 new homes for disabled veterans, supporting service
members with catastrophic injuries, and funding the education of
children who have lost a parent; and
WHEREAS, The son of James and Charlotte Wagstaff, Jordan
Wagstaff was born in Nacogdoches on February 11, 1987, and attended
Lufkin High School; answering his nation's call to duty, he
arranged to graduate early so that he could join the U.S. Coast
Guard in 2005; he is stationed in New York City as a duty section
leader for the Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security unit, a
counterterrorism effort devoted to protecting critical maritime
infrastructure as well as the Statue of Liberty, the George
Washington Bridge, and other important sites; and
WHEREAS, Petty Officer Wagstaff has long dedicated himself to
the defense of our nation, and his involvement in this
inspirational athletic competition provides a meaningful way to
further honor the memory of two brave Americans who gave their lives
in the service of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Jordan
Wagstaff on his participation in the first annual Tunnel to Towers
Tower Climb and recognize him for his exemplary service; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Petty Officer Wagstaff as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.